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Neil Druckmann
Druckmann at the 2014 Comic-Con International
Born (1978-12-05) December 5, 1978 (age 45)
Israel
NationalityAmerican
Alma materCarnegie Mellon University
Occupation(s)Creative director, writer
EmployerNaughty Dog
Notable workUncharted 2: Among Thieves,
The Last of Us,
Uncharted 4: A Thief's End
SpouseMaya Druckmann
Children1

Neil Druckmann (born December 5, 1978) is an Israeli American writer, creative director and programmer for the video game developer Naughty Dog, known for his work in the video games The Last of Us and Uncharted 4: A Thief's End. He was raised in Israel, where his experiences with entertainment would later influence his storytelling techniques. He studied computer science at the Carnegie Mellon University, before searching for work in the video game industry.

Druckmann's first video game work was as an intern at Naughty Dog. In 2004, he became a programmer on Jak 3 and Jak X: Combat Racing, before becoming game designer for Uncharted: Drake's Fortune and Uncharted 2: Among Thieves. He was later chosen to lead development on The Last of Us as creative director, a role he continued during the development of Uncharted 4: A Thief's End. In addition, Druckmann has also written comic books. He worked on the motion comic Uncharted: Eye of Indra, prior to the creation of his own graphic novel A Second Chance at Sarah. He later co-wrote The Last of Us: American Dreams with artist Faith Erin Hicks.

Druckmann has received high praise for his work on The Last of Us, and later received several awards and nominations for his contributions, including two BAFTA Awards, a DICE Award, and two Writers Guild of America Awards.

Early life

Druckmann was born in Israel on December 5, 1978, to Judy and Jerry Druckmann.[1] At a young age, Druckmann's older brother Emanuel showed him comic books, video games and movies.[2] Through these forms of entertainment, particularly video games, Druckmann learned how to speak better English.[3] Following this, Druckmann became particularly interested in telling a story, and wrote his own comic books.[2]

When Druckmann was ten, his parents decided to move to the United States. He attended middle school and high school in Miami, Florida, before studying criminology at the University of Florida.[2] At one point, he wanted to be an animator, which would require enlisting in art classes, but his parents prohibited him from doing so.[4] After taking a programming class, Druckmann realized that it was his preference, and instead completed a Bachelor of Computer Science. In 2003, Druckmann moved to Pittsburgh, where he attended Carnegie Mellon University and earned his Master's degree in Entertainment Technology in 2005,[2] from the Entertainment Technology Center.[5]

Career

Druckmann met Naughty Dog co-founder Jason Rubin at the Game Developers Conference, when they began talking. In 2004, Druckmann joined Naughty Dog as a programming intern, before being promoted to a full-time position as a gameplay programmer a few months later.[2] During the development of Jak 3 (2004) and Jak X: Combat Racing (2005), Druckmann continued to ask co-president Evan Wells about joining the design team. Wells restrained from moving him to the design team, as he was originally employed as a programmer, but agreed to review Druckmann's design work if he completed them after working hours. Following the development of Jak X, Wells concluded that Druckmann was skilled in the field of design, and gave him the role of game designer for Uncharted: Drake's Fortune (2007).[6] In this position, he worked closely with Amy Hennig to construct the story of Uncharted, before working on Uncharted 2: Among Thieves (2009) as a lead game designer, becoming more involved with the core writing of the game.[2][5] Druckmann also worked on the original design and story of Jak and Daxter: The Lost Frontier (2009), prior to Naughty Dog's abandonment of the game; High Impact Games completed development.[7]

In 2009, Druckmann worked on the motion comic Uncharted: Eye of Indra, as writer and director. A prequel to Drake's Fortune, Eye of Indra tells the story of Nathan Drake prior to the events of the first game.[8] Druckmann's first graphic novel, A Second Chance at Sarah, was published by Ape Entertainment in February 2010.[9] With illustrations by artist Joysuke Wong, the novel relates Druckmann's interest in traveling back in time to meet his wife at a younger age. "There's something cute and poetic about that idea," Druckmann explained.[10] He felt that he shares many similarities with the novel's protagonist Johnny, and that "a lot of Johnny's flaws and fears are based on [his] own shortcomings".[10]

Following the development of Uncharted 2, Naughty Dog split into two teams to work on projects concurrently. With one team working on Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception (2011), co-presidents Evan Wells and Christophe Balestra chose Druckmann and Bruce Straley to lead development on a new game; Druckmann was chosen for his determination and talent for design.[6] Though they were originally set to develop a new game in the Jak and Daxter series, the team felt that they "weren't doing service to the fans of [the] franchise", and decided to create a new game, titled The Last of Us.[11]

A man with short brown hair, sitting next to a man with curly black hair hugging a plush giraffe, both smiling at something to the right of the camera.
Druckmann (right) with game designer Bruce Straley (left) at PAX Prime 2014. The two worked closely throughout the development of The Last of Us and Uncharted 4: A Thief's End.

When conceiving ideas for The Last of Us, Druckmann used a concept that he created as a student at Carnegie Mellon University. His idea was to merge the gameplay of Ico (2001) in a story set during a zombie apocalypse, like that of Night of the Living Dead (1968), with a lead character similar to John Hartigan from Sin City (1991–2000). The lead character, a police officer, would be tasked with protecting a young girl; however, due to the lead character's heart condition, players would often assume control of the young girl, reversing the roles. He based The Last of Us on this concept, replacing the police officer with Joel, and naming the young girl Ellie.[12] Prior to directing the game, Druckmann took acting classes in order to "talk to [the actors] in the same language".[5] The game was released on June 14, 2013 to critical acclaim, with particular praise directed towards Druckmann's work on the story.[13] He earned numerous awards for his work on the game, including a BAFTA,[14] a DICE Award,[15] a Game Developers Choice Award,[16] a Golden Joystick Award[17] and a Writers Guild of America Award.[18]

Druckmann later worked on the downloadable expansion pack The Last of Us: Left Behind, a prequel focusing on Ellie's relationship with her friend Riley,[19] which received critical acclaim.[20] He earned additional accolades for his work on Left Behind, including a second BAFTA[21] and Writers Guild of America Award.[22] In particular, he was praised for writing a scene involving a kiss between two female characters, which was named a "breakthrough moment" for video games.[23] He also co-wrote the four-issue comic book miniseries The Last of Us: American Dreams, with writer and artist Faith Erin Hicks. It was published by Dark Horse Comics, with the first issue released in April 2013.[24]

Following Hennig's departure from Naughty Dog in March 2015, it was announced that Druckmann and Straley were working on Uncharted 4: A Thief's End (2016) as creative director and game director, respectively.[25] Initial reports claimed that Hennig was "forced out" of Naughty Dog by Druckmann and Straley, though co-presidents Evan Wells and Christophe Balestra later denied this.[26]

Personal life

Druckmann currently resides in Los Angeles, California with his wife Maya[27] and daughter.[28] He became a father during the development of The Last of Us;[12] his daughter was a "huge inspiration" to him when writing the game.[29]

Works

Video games

Year Game title Role
2004 Jak 3 Gameplay programmer[2]
2005 Jak X: Combat Racing Gameplay programmer[2]
2007 Uncharted: Drake's Fortune Game designer, co-writer[6]
2009 Uncharted 2: Among Thieves Co-lead game designer, co-writer[5]
2009 Jak and Daxter: The Lost Frontier Original design and story[7]
2013 The Last of Us Creative director, writer[6]
2014 The Last of Us: Left Behind Creative director, writer[19]
2016 Uncharted 4: A Thief's End Creative director, writer[25]

Literature

Year Title Role Notes
2009 Uncharted: Eye of Indra Director, writer[8] Motion comic
2010 A Second Chance at Sarah Writer[10] Graphic novel
2013 The Last of Us: American Dreams Writer[24] Graphic novel
2013 The Art of The Last of Us Writer (introduction)[30] with Bruce Straley

Film and television

Year Title Notes
2013 Grounded: Making The Last of Us Documentary[31]
2013 Between the Lines with Barry Kibrick Season 13, Episode 25[32]
2013 How Videogames Changed the World Television movie[33]

Awards and nominations

Date Award Category Recipient(s) and Nominee(s) Result Ref.
October 26, 2013 31st Golden Joystick Awards Best Storytelling The Last of Us Won [17]
December 4, 2013 5th Annual Inside Gaming Awards Best Story The Last of Us Nominated [34]
December 21, 2013 Hardcore Gamer's Game of the Year Awards 2013 Best Writing The Last of Us Won [35]
December 21, 2013 Hardcore Gamer's Game of the Year Awards 2013 Best Story The Last of Us Nominated [36]
December 24, 2013 Destructoid's Best of 2013 Best Story The Last of Us Nominated [37]
December 24, 2013 Giant Bomb's 2013 Game of the Year Awards Best Story The Last of Us Won [38]
December 31, 2013 The Daily Telegraph Video Game Awards 2013 Best Script Neil Druckmann Won [39]
December 31, 2013 The Daily Telegraph Video Game Awards 2013 Best Director Neil Druckmann and Bruce Straley Nominated [39]
January 7, 2014 GameTrailers Game of the Year Awards 2014 Best Story The Last of Us Won [40]
January 9, 2014 IGN's Best of 2013 Best PS3 Story The Last of Us Won [41]
January 10, 2014 IGN's Best of 2013 Best Overall Story The Last of Us Nominated [42]
February 1, 2014 66th Writers Guild of America Awards Outstanding Achievement in Videogame Writing The Last of Us Won [18]
February 7, 2014 17th Annual DICE Awards Outstanding Achievement in Story The Last of Us Won [15]
March 8, 2014 2014 SXSW Gaming Awards Excellence in Narrative The Last of Us Won [43]
March 12, 2014 10th British Academy Video Games Awards Story The Last of Us Won [14]
March 19, 2014 14th Annual Game Developers Choice Awards Best Narrative The Last of Us Won [16]
February 14, 2015 67th Writers Guild of America Awards Outstanding Achievement in Videogame Writing The Last of Us: Left Behind Won [22]
February 20, 2015 IGN AU Black Beta Select Awards 2014 Best Storytelling The Last of Us: Left Behind Won [44]
March 12, 2015 11th British Academy Video Games Awards Story The Last of Us: Left Behind Won [21]

References

  1. ^ Zeldin, Ashley; Druckmann, Neil; Cambier, Ricky; Newman, Anthony (April 3, 2014). The Last of Us design panel. International Game Developers Association. Santa Monica. Archived from the original on May 9, 2015. Retrieved May 9, 2015. I was born, and I lived for several years, in Israel. {{cite conference}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h LeFebvre, Rob (August 6, 2013). "The Last of Us". Creative Screenwriting. Archived from the original on May 9, 2015. Retrieved May 9, 2015. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help); Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  3. ^ "Neil Druckmann". Entertainment Technology Center. Carnegie Mellon University. Archived from the original on May 9, 2015. Retrieved May 10, 2015. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  4. ^ Siegel, Lucas (June 2, 2011). "UNCHARTED Territory: Behind Game Writing w/ Neil Druckmann". Newsarama. Purch. Archived from the original on May 9, 2015. Retrieved May 10, 2015. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  5. ^ a b c d "Meet Naughty Dog's Renaissance man, Neil Druckmann". Edge. Future plc. June 5, 2013. Archived from the original on June 8, 2013. Retrieved May 9, 2015.
  6. ^ a b c d Hansen, Ben (February 22, 2012). "New Tricks: An Interview With Naughty Dog's Co-Presidents". Game Informer. GameStop. Archived from the original on January 7, 2015. Retrieved January 7, 2015. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  7. ^ a b High Impact Games (November 3, 2009). Jak and Daxter: The Lost Frontier (PlayStation Portable and PlayStation 2) (1.0 ed.). Sony Computer Entertainment. Scene: Credits.
  8. ^ a b Druckmann, Neil (October 22, 2009). "UNCHARTED: Eye of Indra – First Episode on PSN Today". PlayStation Blog. Sony Computer Entertainment. Archived from the original on May 9, 2015. Retrieved May 10, 2015. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  9. ^ Langshaw, Mark (January 21, 2010). "Druckmann to make graphic novel debut". Digital Spy. Hearst Corporation. Archived from the original on May 9, 2015. Retrieved May 10, 2015. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  10. ^ a b c Langshaw, Mark (February 9, 2010). "Neil Druckmann talks 'A Second Chance At Sarah'". Digital Spy. Hearst Corporation. Archived from the original on May 9, 2015. Retrieved May 10, 2015. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  11. ^ Gaston, Martin (October 4, 2013). "Naughty Dog reveals how axed Jack and Daxter reboot led to The Last of Us". GameSpot. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on May 9, 2015. Retrieved May 9, 2015. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  12. ^ a b Webster, Andrew (September 19, 2013). "The power of failure: making 'The Last of Us'". The Verge. Vox Media. Archived from the original on October 20, 2014. Retrieved October 20, 2014. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  13. ^ Hussain, Tamoor (June 5, 2013). "The Last of Us review round-up: 'Easily Naughty Dog's finest moment'". Computer and Video Games. Future plc. Archived from the original on June 8, 2013. Retrieved March 1, 2015.
  14. ^ a b Karmali, Luke (March 13, 2014). "BAFTA Games Awards 2014 Winners Announced". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on May 2, 2015. Retrieved January 16, 2015. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  15. ^ a b "Game Title: The Last of Us". Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences. February 7, 2014. Archived from the original on May 2, 2015. Retrieved January 26, 2015. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  16. ^ a b Pitcher, Jenna (March 20, 2014). "The Last of Us cleans up at the 2014 Game Developer Choice Awards". Polygon. Vox Media. Archived from the original on May 2, 2015. Retrieved January 16, 2015. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  17. ^ a b Hussain, Tamoor (October 26, 2013). "Golden Joysticks 2013: Full list of winners". Computer and Video Games. Archived from the original on October 28, 2013. Retrieved May 2, 2015. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  18. ^ a b Deadline Staff (February 1, 2014). "WGA Award Winners & More — 2014 Writers Guild Awards". Deadline.com. Penske Media Corporation. Archived from the original on May 2, 2015. Retrieved January 16, 2014. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  19. ^ a b Jayne, Jeremy (February 17, 2014). "The Last of Us Developers Talk Left Behind DLC [SPOILERS]". GameSpot. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on May 9, 2015. Retrieved May 10, 2015. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  20. ^ Cook, Dave (February 14, 2014). "The Last of Us: Left Behind review round-up, all the scores here". VG247. Archived from the original on May 9, 2015. Retrieved May 9, 2015. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  21. ^ a b Nutt, Christian (March 12, 2015). "BAFTA Awards honors Destiny, Monument Valley, and David Braben". Gamasutra. UBM plc. Archived from the original on March 13, 2015. Retrieved March 13, 2015. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  22. ^ a b Deadline Staff (February 14, 2015). "WGA Award Winners & More — 2014 Writers Guild Awards". Deadline.com. Penske Media Corporation. Archived from the original on May 2, 2015. Retrieved February 15, 2015. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  23. ^ Hamilton, Kirk (February 17, 2014). "Video Gaming's Latest Breakthrough Moment". Kotaku. Gawker Media. Archived from the original on March 2, 2015. Retrieved March 2, 2015. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  24. ^ a b Goldfarb, Andrew (October 12, 2012). "The Last of Us Prequel Comic, Art Book Revealed". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on October 4, 2014. Retrieved October 10, 2014. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  25. ^ a b Moriarty, Colin (June 2, 2014). "The Last of Us' Directors Are Officially Heading Up Uncharted 4". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on May 9, 2015. Retrieved May 10, 2015. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  26. ^ Dyer, Mitch (March 4, 2014). "Uncharted PS4 Writer Amy Hennig Leaves Naughty Dog". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on May 9, 2015. Retrieved May 10, 2015. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  27. ^ Druckmann, Neil (February 5, 2014). The Last of Us wins the 2014 Writers Guild Award for Videogame Writing. Writers Guild of America. Archived from the original on May 22, 2015. Retrieved May 23, 2015. To my awesome wife ... Maya, you've always pushed me to be a more honest writer. {{cite AV media}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  28. ^ Game Informer (February 15, 2012). Naughty Dog's Disaster Plans. GameSpot. Archived from the original on May 10, 2015. Retrieved May 10, 2015. {{cite AV media}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  29. ^ Druckmann, Neil; Straley, Bruce (February 22, 2014). "Hi, we're Neil Druckmann (Creative Director) and Bruce Straley (Game Director) of The Last of Us and The Last of Us: Left Behind at Naughty Dog. AUA!". Reddit. Archived from the original on May 9, 2015. Retrieved May 10, 2015. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  30. ^ Druckmann, Neil; Straley, Bruce (June 2013). The Art of The Last of Us. United States of America: Dark Horse Comics. p. 7. {{cite book}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  31. ^ Naughty Dog and Area 5 (2013). Grounded: Making The Last of Us. Sony Computer Entertainment. Archived from the original on October 10, 2014. Retrieved October 11, 2014. {{cite AV media}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  32. ^ Monacelli, Eric (November 18, 2013). "The Last of Us: New Heads Revealed, Neil Druckmann PBS Interview". PlayStation Blog. Sony Computer Entertainment. Archived from the original on May 9, 2015. Retrieved May 10, 2015. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  33. ^ Brooker, Charlie (November 30, 2013). How Videogames Changed the World. United Kingdom: Endemol UK. Archived from the original on May 9, 2015. Retrieved May 10, 2015. {{cite AV media}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  34. ^ Smith, Rob (November 21, 2013). "Inside Gaming Awards 2013 Nominees Announced". Machinima.com. Archived from the original on May 1, 2015. Retrieved December 9, 2013. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  35. ^ HG Staff (December 21, 2013). "2013 Best Writing". Hardcore Gamer. Archived from the original on May 1, 2015. Retrieved December 25, 2013. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help); Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  36. ^ HG Staff (December 21, 2013). "2013 Best Story". Hardcore Gamer. Archived from the original on May 1, 2015. Retrieved December 25, 2013. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help); Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  37. ^ Hansen, Steven (December 24, 2013). "The winner of Destructoid's best of 2013 story". Destructoid. Archived from the original on May 1, 2015. Retrieved December 25, 2013. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  38. ^ Giant Bomb Staff (December 24, 2013). "Giant Bomb's 2013 Game of the Year Awards: Day Two". Giant Bomb. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on May 1, 2015. Retrieved January 16, 2014. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  39. ^ a b Hoggins, Tom (December 31, 2013). "Telegraph Video Game Awards 2013". The Daily Telegraph. London: Telegraph Media Group. Archived from the original on May 1, 2015. Retrieved January 16, 2015. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  40. ^ "Winners Montage – GameTrailers Game of the Year Awards". GameTrailers. January 7, 2014. Archived from the original on May 1, 2015. Retrieved January 7, 2014. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  41. ^ "Best PS3 Story – IGN's Best of 2013". IGN. December 18, 2013. Archived from the original on May 1, 2015. Retrieved December 25, 2013. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  42. ^ "Best Overall Story – IGN's Best of 2013". IGN. December 18, 2013. Archived from the original on May 1, 2015. Retrieved December 25, 2013. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  43. ^ Blanchard, Bobby (March 9, 2014). "2014 SXSW Gaming Awards: So Many Amazing Winners!". South by Southwest. Archived from the original on March 16, 2015. Retrieved March 17, 2015. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  44. ^ "Black Beta Select Awards 2014". IGN. Ziff Davis. February 20, 2015. Archived from the original on March 4, 2015. Retrieved March 4, 2015. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)

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